Category: Valparaiso (Chile)

CITY TOUR VALPARAISO and VIÑA DEL MAR

Aimed at showcasing two civic jewels in half a day off the ship, this tour will take you to explore Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and neighboring Viña del Mar.

Excursion Details

After boarding a bus, you will begin in downtown Valparaíso at Plaza Sotomayor, flanked by an impressive building currently housing the Chilean Navy Headquarters. Next, enjoy panoramic views of the city, port, and the Flower Clock as you head to Viña del Mar, whose name means “vineyard by the sea” and is just a short distance away. Proceed to Viña del Mar and stroll along Av. Perú, appreciating the picturesque coastal promenade and its beautiful ocean views. Continue to the Fonck Museum to see an original Moai sculpture from Easter Island. After visiting the exhibits related to Easter Island culture, return to the ship.

Important Information:

Guides in languages other than Spanish/English are limited. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be in Spanish or English only. On 2-day calls, this tour is available on the first and on the second day but please select code VAP01 if you wish to take part in this tour on the first day of call and code VAP07 if you wish to take part in this tour on the second day of call.

Guests are recommended to wear sunglasses, a hat, high-factor sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. This excursion will not be cancelled due to weather conditions (rain). This excursion is included in the package. You are kindly requested to reconfirm your participation to the included tour on the first day of your cruise and to keep the on-board Shore Excursion Office informed in case of any change

CITY TOUR OF SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Santiago, Chile, at the same time the largest city and the capital of the country, is just a little over a bus transfer from your ship in Valparaíso to the inland, enough reason to join this full-day tour and make a visit.

Excursion Details

Once in the capital, the city’s sightseeing tour by bus includes the La Moneda Palace as the current seat of government, the historic district with Plaza de Armas, the central post office building, the municipal cathedral, the Constitution Square, the Central Market, the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts, the Mapocho River, and the beautiful Bellavista neighborhood before ending in the modern district of the capital. A stop at San Cristobal Hill is included. After a pause for a typical Chilean lunch, the return trip will give you the opportunity to enjoy more panoramic views.

Important Information:

Guests are recommended to wear comfortable shoes. On 2-day calls, this tour is available on the first and on the second day but please select code VAP02 if you wish to take part in this tour on the first day of call and code VAP08 if you wish to take part in this tour on the second day of call

CASABLANCA VALLEY: WINE TASTING and COUNTRYSIDE

The prowess of Chilean wine production in the nearby Casablanca Valley is highlighted on this full-day scenic tour to two of the region’s top wineries: Veramonte and Casas del Bosque. In both cases, guided tours of the facilities will include information about the history of each vineyard, organic and biodynamic farming, the winemaking process, and panoramic views of the vines.

Excursion Details

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Casas del Bosque Vineyard, featuring local cuisine paired with their exceptional wines. You will also visit the tanks and aging rooms before participating in a tasting session at each winery. Beautiful views of the lush countryside complete the tour during the bus transfer, which ends with your return to the ship.

Important Information:

Guides in languages other than Spanish/English are limited. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be in Spanish or English only. On 2-day calls, this tour is available on the first and on the second day but please select code VAP03 if you wish to take part in this tour on the first day of call and code VAP09 if you wish to take part in this tour on the second day of call.

Guests are recommended to wear sunglasses, a hat, high-factor sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. This excursion will not be cancelled due to weather conditions (rain). Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it to the Shore Excursions Office at least two days before the call

ESTANCIA EL CUADRO CASABLANCA VALLEY

If you find South American wines tickle your taste buds, this all-day outing to Estancia el Cuadro, one of the region’s If you think South American wines please your palate, this full-day tour to Estancia el Cuadro, one of the region’s top wineries, will certainly be ideal.

Excursion Details

The tour begins with a transfer to the nearby Casablanca Valley, home to the beautiful Estancia el Cuadro Winery. Expect a tour of the facilities, including a walk through the rustic vineyard, information about the Chilean wine industry and its history, a visit to the Stock Garden, and a tasting session in one of the winery’s cellars. After your visit concludes, the bus will be waiting to take you back to the ship.

Important Information:

Water and wine are included. This tour is unsuitable for guests using a wheelchair. On 2-day calls, this tour is available on the first and on the second day but please select code VAP04 if you wish to take part in this tour on the first day of call and code VAP10 if you wish to take part in this tour on the second day of call

ISLA NEGRA and LA SEBASTIANA MUSEUM PABLO NERUDA

Pablo Neruda (1904-73) was one of Chile’s greatest poets, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971 and spent many years living in El Quisco near an outcrop of rocks jutting into the water at the coast that he named Isla Negra. You’ll begin your half-day outing with a coach transfer to reach your first port of call, the poet’s erstwhile house and now museum, which you’ll have some time to explore. As a fan of all things maritime and an avid collector, Pablo Neruda’s house not only resembles a ship, but is filled to the brim with all sorts of items related to a seafaring lifestyle. You’ll also have a chance to browse the local handicraft store before returning to the coach for a panoramic drive past several of the region’s best beaches. Your return to the ship brings the outing to a close.

Please note: Guides in languages other than Spanish/English are limited. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be in Spanish or English only. Guests are recommended to wear sunglasses, a hat, high-factor sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. This excursion will not be cancelled due to weather conditions (rain)

CITY TOUR VALPARAISO and VIÑA DEL MAR

Aiming to showcase two civic gems in half a day off the ship, this outing will see you exploring both Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the nearby Viña del Mar.

Once you’ve boarded a coach, you’ll begin in Valparaíso’s city centre at Sotomayor Square, which is flanked by an impressive building currently housing the Chilean navy’s HQ. Moving on, you’ll get to enjoy panoramic views of the city, the port and Valparaíso’s flower clock while you head for Viña del Mar, whose name means vineyard by the sea and is only a stone’s throw away. First up, you’ll pay Quinta Vergara – a park named after the city’s 19th-century founder – a visit to see numerous trees and flowers from around the world. Next, you’ll pass the theatre and the main Vergara Square en route to the Fonck Museum, in whose forecourt you’ll find an original moai sculpture from Easter Island. You’ll have some time to browse exhibits related to the Polynesian Rapa Nui culture and people of Easter Island before the coach returns you to the ship.

Please note: Guides in languages other than Spanish/English are limited. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be in Spanish or English only. On 2-day calls, this tour is available on the first and on the second day but please select code VAP01 if you wish to take part in this tour on the first day of call and code VAP07 if you wish to take part in this tour on the second day of call. The order in which sites are visited may vary to suit traffic conditions.

Guests are recommended to wear sunglasses, a hat, high-factor sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. This excursion will not be cancelled due to weather conditions (rain). This excursion is included in the package. You are kindly requested to reconfirm your participation to the included tour on the first day of your cruise and to keep the on-board Shore Excursion Office informed in case of any change

CITY TOUR OF SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Santiago, Chile, at the same time the largest city and the capital of the country, is just a little over a bus transfer from your ship in Valparaíso to the inland, enough reason to join this full-day tour and make a visit.

Excursion Details

Once in the capital, the city’s sightseeing tour by bus includes the La Moneda Palace as the current seat of government, the historic district with Plaza de Armas, the central post office building, the municipal cathedral, the Constitution Square, the Central Market, the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts, the Mapocho River, and the beautiful Bellavista neighborhood before ending in the modern district of the capital. A stop at San Cristobal Hill is included. After a pause for a typical Chilean lunch, the return trip will give you the opportunity to enjoy more panoramic views.

Important Information:

Guests are recommended to wear comfortable shoes. On 2-day calls, this tour is available on the first and on the second day but please select code VAP02 if you wish to take part in this tour on the first day of call and code VAP08 if you wish to take part in this tour on the second day of call

CASABLANCA VALLEY: WINE TASTING and COUNTRYSIDE

The prowess of Chilean wine production in the nearby Casablanca Valley is highlighted on this full-day scenic tour to two of the region’s top wineries: Veramonte and Casas del Bosque. In both cases, guided tours of the facilities will include information about the history of each vineyard, organic and biodynamic farming, the winemaking process, and panoramic views of the vines.

Excursion Details

Enjoy a delicious lunch at Casas del Bosque Vineyard, featuring local cuisine paired with their exceptional wines. You will also visit the tanks and aging rooms before participating in a tasting session at each winery. Beautiful views of the lush countryside complete the tour during the bus transfer, which ends with your return to the ship.

Important Information:

Guides in languages other than Spanish/English are limited. Should a tour guide for your language be unavailable, the tour will be in Spanish or English only. On 2-day calls, this tour is available on the first and on the second day but please select code VAP03 if you wish to take part in this tour on the first day of call and code VAP09 if you wish to take part in this tour on the second day of call. Guests are recommended to wear sunglasses, a hat, high-factor sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.

This excursion will not be cancelled due to weather conditions (rain). Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it to the Shore Excursions Office at least two days before the call.

ESTANCIA EL CUADRO CASABLANCA VALLEY

If you think South American wines please your palate, this full-day tour to Estancia el Cuadro, one of the region’s top wineries, will certainly be ideal.

Excursion Details

The tour begins with a transfer to the nearby Casablanca Valley, home to the beautiful Estancia el Cuadro Winery. Expect a tour of the facilities, including a walk through the rustic vineyard, information about the Chilean wine industry and its history, a visit to the Stock Garden, and a tasting session in one of the winery’s cellars. After your visit concludes, the bus will be waiting to take you back to the ship.

Important Information:

Water and wine are included. This tour is unsuitable for guests using a wheelchair. On 2-day calls, this tour is available on the first and on the second day but please select code VAP04 if you wish to take part in this tour on the first day of call and code VAP10 if you wish to take part in this tour on the second day of call

MAGICAL MACHU PICCHU AND THE WONDERS OF THE INCAS

Machu Picchu, the unique city of the Incas high in the beautiful Andes, is one of the greatest wonders of the world. Experience its magic and learn about the Incas through their crafts and famous sites. Flying from Santiago to Lima, you’ll overnight in Peru’s capital city before flying to Cusco and proceeding overland to the legendary sacred valley. In Chinchero, famous for its traditional textiles, you’ll learn classic Incan skills in a weaving workshop, followed by lunch with a Peruvian Paso horse show at Wayra Ranch. In the afternoon, you’ll discover the Incan wonders of Ollantaytambo, still steeped in the old traditions. Your third day is dedicated entirely to exploring the unforgettable beauty of Machu Picchu. Returning the day after to Cusco, capital of the Incas, you’ll tour historic sites, from the Temple of the Sun to the cathedral, before flying to Lima and dinner in your overnight hotel. An early flight to Tacna and transfer to Arica will take you to rejoin your cruise.

Please note: The tour to Machu Picchu takes you from sea level to an altitude of 11,200 feet (3,400 m), which may cause some guests to experience altitude sickness. The code VAP20 must be reserved by couples only and must be added to each guest’s booking (2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child; in this case the child’s price is the same as an adult’s). The code VAP20SGL must be reserved by those wishing a single accommodation only.

By booking the tour, guests acknowledge the detailed itinerary with all notes and booking information. All Guests are asked to contact MSC to provide their full name as written in the passport, date of birth and nationality in order to book hotel rooms. This tour is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or using a wheelchair